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[EN] One hundred and twenty male New Zealand
White (NZW) rabbits of 35 days of age were randomly
allotted to twelve groups. Rabbits of six groups were fed a
low protein diet (f6.44 % crude protein) and the other six
were ...[+]

[EN] One hundred and twenty male New Zealand
White (NZW) rabbits of 35 days of age were randomly
allotted to twelve groups. Rabbits of six groups were fed a
low protein diet (f6.44 % crude protein) and the other six
were fed a high protein diet (18.5 % crude protein). Within
each dietary protein level, three groups were supplemented
with copper sulfate to supply e1ther O, 100 or 200 ppm
copper/kg diet, while the other three were supplemented with
copper cflloride to supply the same levels of copper. Most of
the studied traits were affected positively with the increase in
each of protein and copper levels in the diets of NZW rabbits
without interaction. The affected traits were : live body weight
and daily gain ( Protein high vs low : 28.2 vs 23.4 g/d ; Cu 0-
100-200 ppm : 22.1-25.9-29.2 g/d ; P<0.001), feed conversion, protein efficiency, nutrient digestibility and final
margin, as well as, concentration of serum protem, albumin
(Protein high : + 12 % vs low ; Cu 100 and 200 ppm : 8 %
and 17 % vs O ppm ; P<0.001), urea, creatinine (P<0.01) and
SGOT (P<0.05). Feed cost, serum globulin level, SGPi and
sorne carcass and non-carcass components were
insignificantly affected by levels of either protein or copper.
Dressing percentage increased slightly with the increase of
dietary protein and copper levels, while empty gut percentage
(relatively to live body weight) decreased w1th addition of
copper in rabbit diets. The effects of copper source and the
interaction between protein level and each of copper level
and source on the traits studied, did not show any
significance.[-]